Sharpening razor's heel

[binder]

I have a couple razors with a slight smile. I would be interested in knowing how people sharpen the heel of razors. Do you roll through the edge somehow; sharpen the heel separately?

Thanks for advice

 

[Mike H]

For a smiling razor, you will want to use a rolling X stroke.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Honing

 

[mainaman]

regular x-stroke, or heel leading x-stroke will work fine just have to do it right

 

[Slash McCoy]

What they said.

But me, I usually straighten out my smileys. They are called straight razors, after all.

 

[binder]

Thanks for replies.

When I use a rolling stroke the heel doesn't seem to sharpen as easily as the rest of the razor (use a marker on the edge to see how the stroke removes the ink). Is this normal or do I need to adjust the stroke somehow? I'm thinking the heel doesn't see that much time on the hone, or maybe I need to do more work on the bevel at that area.

Thanks

 

[Slash McCoy]

The sharpie is trying to tell you what is wrong and how to fix it. Let it guide you.

 

[Pkrankow]

Could be the razor had been honed a lot heel leading and the spine is considerable thicker in that area.

Phil

 

[Wid]

Use a bit of pressure on the heel then lighten up as the edge goes across the hone.

 

[tomjr]

I WOULD SUGGEST bevel work on that heel. if it is not sharp as the rest of the bevel set was, that may be your problem.